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Supporters of far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon known as Tommy Robinson are restrained by police, in Oxford Street, London, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019. Demonstrators carrying England’s flag gathered in central London to demand the release of Robinson. Singing “We want Tommy out," demonstrators began congregating at Oxford Circus on Saturday. Strict conditions were imposed by police on the demonstration and a counter-demonstration planned by Stand Up To Racism. London’s Metropolitan Police warned that anyone breaching the conditions could be arrested and prosecuted. (Steve Parsons/PA via AP)

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Supporters of far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon known as Tommy Robinson protest in Oxford Street, London, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019. Demonstrators carrying England’s flag gathered in central London to demand the release of Robinson. Singing “We want Tommy out," demonstrators began congregating at Oxford Circus on Saturday. Strict conditions were imposed by police on the demonstration and a counter-demonstration planned by Stand Up To Racism. London’s Metropolitan Police warned that anyone breaching the conditions could be arrested and prosecuted. (Steve Parsons/PA via AP)

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Supporters of far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon known as Tommy Robinson gather to protest, in central London, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019. Demonstrators carrying England’s flag gathered in central London to demand the release of Robinson. Singing “We want Tommy out," demonstrators began congregating at Oxford Circus on Saturday. Strict conditions were imposed by police on the demonstration and a counter-demonstration planned by Stand Up To Racism. London’s Metropolitan Police warned that anyone breaching the conditions could be arrested and prosecuted. (Steve Parsons/PA via AP)

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Supporters of far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon known as Tommy Robinson gather in Oxford Street, London, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019. Demonstrators carrying England’s flag gathered in central London to demand the release of Robinson. Singing “We want Tommy out," demonstrators began congregating at Oxford Circus on Saturday. Strict conditions were imposed by police on the demonstration and a counter-demonstration planned by Stand Up To Racism. London’s Metropolitan Police warned that anyone breaching the conditions could be arrested and prosecuted. (Steve Parsons/PA via AP)

British supporters of far-right activist gather in London

By Associated Press London

PUBLISHED 12:39 PM ET Aug. 03, 2019

LONDON (AP) — Police in London kept supporters of far-right activist Tommy Robinson away from counter-demonstrators Saturday, as shoppers and tourists in one of the capital's main shopping districts gawked at the spectacle.

Singing "We want Tommy out" and waving flags, the pro-Robinson camp congregated outside the Oxford Circus subway station to demand his release from prison.

Police imposed strict conditions on their demonstration, as well as on a counter-demonstration organized by an anti-fascist pressure group, Stand Up To Racism.

The rival groups only were allowed to congregate in certain areas for set lengths of time. Officers and vans separated the two sides.

Authorities warned that violence would be dealt with "swiftly and robustly."

Robinson, 36, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, co-founded the anti-Islam English Defense League.

He received a nine-month prison sentence for contempt of court last month for posting live video on social media of criminal defendants accused of sexually abusing teenage girls.

Robinson claimed to have been exposing alleged "Muslim rape gangs" when he recorded the men outside a courthouse in violation of an order intended to ensure fair trials.

Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.